MLB roundup | Wednesday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Rays 4, Yankees 3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.

Dan Johnson hit a pair of two-run homers, leading Tampa Bay back into first place in the AL East. The teams with the baseball’s top two records flip-flopped positions in the standings for the third straight night. The first two games of the important series went extra innings, with the Rays winning 1-0 on Monday and the Yankees regaining the division lead by a half-game with an 8-7 win on Tuesday. Both of Johnson’s homers came off Phil Hughes (16-8), who retired two of Tampa Bay’s most dangerous hitters — Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria — before giving up a two-out single to Matt Joyce and Johnson’s second homer of the night in the seventh.

Red Sox 5, Mariners 1

SEATTLE

Clay Buchholz pitched seven solid innings, Victor Martinez hit a two-run double and the Red Sox beat the Mariners to complete a three-game series sweep.

Orioles 3, Blue Jays 1

BALTIMORE

Brad Bergesen pitched a seven-hitter, and the Orioles withstood Jose Bautista’s major league-leading 47th home run and ruined the debut of right-hander Kyle Drabek with a victory over the Blue Jays.

Twins 9, White Sox 3

CHICAGO

Joe Mauer had three hits, including a three-run homer, and the Twins took a commanding eight-game lead in the AL Central with a victory over the White Sox. With 17 games left for both teams, Minnesota has basically secured the division barring an epic collapse. The Twins’ magic number to win the division is 10.

Rangers 11, Tigers 7

ARLINGTON, Texas

David Murphy, Vladimir Guerrero and Ian Kinsler hit long home runs for the AL West-leading Rangers in a victory over the Tigers that stretched their winning streak to seven games.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Rockies 9, Padres 6

DENVER

Troy Tulowitzki had his third multihomer game in a little more than a week, setting a career high with seven RBIs to help Colorado beat the NL West-leading Padres. San Diego began the day with a 1 1/2-game division lead over San Francisco.

Nationals 4, Braves 2

ATLANTA

Light-hitting Justin Maxwell hit a grand slam off rookie Mike Minor in the second inning and last-place Washington handed the Braves their second home series loss this season.

Brewers 8, Astros 6, 10 innings

HOUSTON

Mat Gamel hit the go-ahead double in the 10th inning and Milwaukee avoided a series sweep.

Reds 7, Diamondbacks 5

CINCINNATI

Drew Stubbs homered and Cincinnati’s deep bullpen held off the Arizona Diamondbacks with the help of a homer-saving catch by right fielder Jay Bruce.

Cubs 7, Cardinals 3

ST. LOUIS

Carlos Zambrano pitched six innings of two-run ball and Tyler Colvin hit a three-run homer.

Associated Press